Geranium plant named `Guivin`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plant named Guivin, characterized by its purple and double-type flowers, medium-green foliage, zonation that is absent or very weak which forms a ring near the base of the leaf, compact and good branching plant habit.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium,botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum l'Hert, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name Guivin.

Guivin is a product of a planned breeding program which had theobjective of creating new geranium cultivars with blue-red flower colorand compact and well branched growth habit.

Guivin was originated from a hybridization made in a controlled breedingprogram in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France in 1985.

The female and male parents were unnamed hybrids from the proprietaryGuillou collection, both parents being characterized by blue-red,semi-double flowers.

Guivin was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by the inventors in 1986 i a controlledenvironment in Saint Malo, Bretagne, France.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Guivin was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in July 1990in a controlled environment in Saint Malo, France by a techanicianworking under the supervision of the inventors. Horticulturalexamination of selected units initiated in 1990 in Halderen, TheNetherlands, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Guivin are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Guivin has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity, and daylength without a change in thegenotype of the cultivar. The following observations, measurements, andcomparisons describe plants grown in Haalderen, Holland under greenhouseconditions which approximate those generally used in commercialpractice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Guivin which, in combination, distinguishthis geranium as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Purple and double-type flowers.

2. Medium-green foliage.

3. Absent to very weak zonation which forms a ring near the base of theleaf.

4. Compact plant habit.

5. Good branching habit.

Of many commercial cultivars known to the present inventors, there is nocultivar with which Guivin can be closely compared.

The accompanying color photographic drawings show typical flower andfoliage characteristics of Guivin.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the cultivar.

FIG. 2 is a top and bottom view of an individual flower from Guivin.

FIG. 3 is a top and bottom view of an individual leaf from the cultivar.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart. The color values weredetermined indoors in 1991 under greenhouse conditions in Hannover,Germany with colors being as true as possible with illustrations of thistype.

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium peltatum l'Hart cv. Guivin.

Commercial.--Ivy geranium, Guivin.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Umbel: Nearly semi-spherical with 6 to 8 buds per umbel.

Average diameter.--92 mm.

Average depth.--30 mm.

Peduncle length.--95 mm.

Pedicel length.--21 mm.

B. Corolla

Average diameter.--45 mm.

Form.--Double-type with 15 to 20 petals per flower. There are morepetals in the spring than fall.

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Purple.

Color (abaxial).--Blue red (R.H.S. 67B).

Color (adaxial).--Light purple-red (R.H.S. 61D).

C. Bud:

Petal size.--Approximately 20 mm wide and 30 mm long.

Petaloid size.--Approximately 15 mm wide and 25 mm long.

Sepal number.--5.

Shape.--Narrow elliptic.

Color (abaxial).--Green, no anthocyanin.

Color (adaxial).--Purple-red.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.3-7 fertile anthers, white filaments, orange pollen.

Gynoecium.--5-6 lobed stigma, red style and stigma.

E. Spring flowering response period: 1.6 flowers per umbel opened 15weeks after planting of unrooted cuttings (pinched plants).

F. Outdoor flower production: 80-90 umbels per plant from late April-Maythrough September. Pinching of spent blooms is necessary to ensurecontinued flowering.

G. Durability: Shatter resistance is good.

PLANT

A. Foliage:

Form.--Ivy-shaped.

Base.--Partly overlapping.

Margin.--Entire with medium undulation.

Color (abaxial).--Green.

Color (adaxial0.--Meium-green (R.H.S. 139A).

Color (zonation).--Brown, absent to very weak.

Variegation.--Absent.

B. General appearance and form:

Internode length.--30 to 40 mm.

Branching pattern.--5-6 branches per plant that grow horizontally anddensely.

Height.50 to 55 cm. in August.

Plant vigor.--The plant is grows vigorously producing many leaves andflowers.

C. Tolerance to Botrytis: Good.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of geranium plantnamed Guivin, as illustrated and described.